Power-transmitting mechanism.



E. B. GANTRELL @E G. E. MILLER. POWER TRANSMITTING MBGHANISM. APPLIOATIoN FILED sBPT.19, 1912.

Patented Mar. 17,1914.

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WITNESSES: INVENTORS.

s'rAaEs raTENT EDWIN B. CANTRELL, 0F OAKLAND, AND GEORGE E. MILLER, 0F SAN FRANCISCO,

' CALIFORNIA.

POWER-TRANSMITT-ING MECHANISM.

To all whom it may concern l Be it known that we, EDWIN B. CANTRELL, of Oakland,rcounty of Alameda, State of California, and GEORGE E. MILLER, of the city and county of San Francisco, State of California, both citizens of the United States, have invented new and useful Improvements in Power-Transmitting Mechanism, of which the following is aspecication.

The present invention relates to power transmitting mechanism, and particularly to a worm and gear mechanism in combination with a motor, and a cutter to be driven at a speed much reduced from that of the speed of the motor.

The object of the present invention is to so design and construct a transmitting mechanism for coupling a power unit, as a motor, with a cutting element, as a milling cutter, so that the necessary reduction of speed between the two elements may be had, and eliminate to the greatest possible. extent friction 'generated by themembers in operation; and to provide a mechanism of this type having for its purpose the reduction or elimination of the heat produced by the operation of the parts.

It is a further object of the invent-ion to provide a power transmitting mechanism or coupler between a high speed motor and a relatively slow speed cutter, involving a transmitting member loosely connectible with the motor and with the worm gearing, and operating as a safety factor and coupler efficiently effective to couple the elements irrespective of the axial alinement of the motor and the worm, or its equivalent element, in the transmission mechanism.

The invention consists of the parts and the construction and compination of parts as hereinafter more fully described and claimed, having reference to the accompanyin drawings, in whichigure 1 is a view showing the motor and the transmission mechanism, the latter being. in section; Fig.v 2 is a transverse sectional view through the transmission mechanism.

In its illustrated embodiment, our invention comprises an electric motor 2 and transmitting niechanism, designated generally at Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 17, Igd.

Application led September 19, 1912. Serial No. 721,146.

3, the function of which is to drive a milling cutter or other tool 4tat a speed considerably less than the speed of the motor.

Ordinarily, in connecting a motor through a transmitting mechanism to a cutter or other element to be driven at a slow speed, the motor may be arranged with its shaft in aXlal alinement with an element of the transmission mechanism, and unless the aXialV alinement of the motor and this element be true, then there is encountered and generated undue and unnecessary friction which tends to defeat the efficient operation ofthe mechanism, in addition to causing unnecessary wear and heating of the parts; the heating of the parts rendering neutral or valueless the lubricant which may be applied.

Our invention contemplates the employment of a transmitting mechanism, as 3, which is here shown as involving a worm 5, which is supported in suitable antifriction bearings 6 6, adjusted against shoulders 7-7 formed on the body or Spindle 7 upon which the worm is cut or attached; the bearings 6 being'mounted in contiguous portions of an oil-tight casing 8. The worm 5 in the present instance is arranged with relation to the shaft 10 of the motor, so that their axes are approximately in alinement; the wor-m being driven directly by the shaft 10 of the motor and with its speed.

Our present invention is evolved with the object of providing such a connection between the motor shaft 10 and the worm 5, that the latter can be driven by the former even though the axial alinement of the two is untrue or destroyed. We obtain this connection between the shaft l0 and the worm 5 through means of a rod, shaft or connection ll, haring formed upon it polygonal ends Y or heads 12. One of the heads 12 rests in a nipple or union 13, provided with a polygonal, axial chamber l-'i conforming to the head 12, and in which the latter may be fitted to be rotatably driven, though it may have a slight longitudinal and transverse play without destroying its transmitting power.A The nipple or union 13 is shown as screwed at 15 on to the shatt 10.

The body portion of the coupling connection 11 is preferably formed of a diameter of such area that it. will break or yield under the torsion of the motor, in the event that the Worm 5 is subjected to such a 'resistance as would stop the operation of the motor. The opposite polygonal end 12 of the coupler 11 is seated in a polygonal cham-A ber 16 of a transverse area approximating that of the head 12; the chamber 1.6 being formed in the adjacent end of the worm body 7. i

When the motor is energized and rotating, its power is transmitted through the union 13 and the coupler or safety shaft 11 to the worm, through the engagement of the polygonal head 12 with the walls Vof the chamber 16 of the worm body 7, thus turning the Worm which is shown as meshing with a worm wheel 18, mounted upon a shaft 19 which projects through the casing 8 in which the worm and Worm wheel revolve.

The shaft 19 when being driven carries and.

operates the cutter et, hereinbefore referred to, the speed Vof which is reduced through the transmission mechanism, so as to enable the cutter or other tool adjusted upon the shaft to perform its duty.

By means of the iexible and relatively free coupler or safety shaft 11 we have produced a connection between a motor, as 2, and the driven member, as the worm 5, whereby 'the latter may be driven, even though, due to vibration of the machine or to stresses Aencountered in operation, or for the reason of improper alinement of' the axes of the shaft and the worm, the latter will be driven by the motor without such undue friction as would be encountered if the motor shaft were'coupled to the Wc-rm by a rigid, inflexible, relatively immovable member. Having provided for'a proper operation of the worm 5 by the motor 2 by means of the flexible and movable coupler or shaft 11, it is a further object of our invention to provide means for keeping down the temperature of the transmission mechanism, as 3, to the greatest possible extent to prevent wear on the parts because of heating. This is accomplished by forming in vthe body'7 of the worm 5 a chamber or opening 20, extending from end to end therethrough, in which air may freely circulate, entering at one end of the shaft or body 7 and passing out of the other end; the shaft projecting through or extending to the sides of the casing 8 thus being exposed to the atmosphere. f

For the purpose of accelerating the flow of air through the worm shaft or body 7. and thus further preventing heating of the same, we form on the interior of the chamber threads or spiral projections 21 which have the function, during the rotation of the shaft 7,`of forcingthe air to flow through the chamber within the shaft. In order to provide means for the passage of air passing the bearing of the coupler head 12, We pro-- several antifriction bearings and the gears 5 and 18. The casing 8 is provided at the necessary laces with packing rings 23; these being s own in Fig. 1 at .the ends of the.

lower portion and at the side in Fig. 2, so as to embrace the shaft 19 where it passes through the wall of the casing.

' It is important in reducing the speed from a high velocity to al low velocity to provide not only' means for eliminating heat and means for amply lubricating the movable elements, but it is' also desirable' to rovide a type of bearings for the movable elements where they are supported in the casing as will eliminate to the greatest possible extent friction of rotation. 'This is accomplished by the introduction of the ball-bearings 6-6 which take the radial thrust of the worm and also the end thrust throw, and the shaft 19 is supported within its casing by a-'ball-bearing 24- or its equivalent, as 4shown in Fig. 2; the lWheel 18 being steadied against lateral .movement by an adjustable antifriction 4bearing 25 upon lthe outside of the casingA 8, controlled by a4 nut 265 threaded on the shaft 19.

'In addition to the air-circulating means which we provide for the reduction of temperature, the casing 8 is also formed with radiating surfaces 8a which serve toradiate such heat as may be impart-ed to the o1l during the operation of the mechanism.

A circulation of oil through the casing 8 may be increased appreciably by forming longitudinal apertures or ducts 28 in the body of the worm 5, through which oil may circulate from end to end. The circulation of the oil is mechanically forced by the operation of centrifugal force,`throw1ng the oil from the ducts 28- radially outward centrifugal force generated by therotation l of the worm 5, brings the Aoil into closer proximity to. the air-cooled chamber 20 in the worm body, and also causing the oil during its movement through the casing to move.l

against the radiating surfaces of the case 8,

thereby carrying off'some of the `heat units generated. By this means of coupling the `motor to the worm, the motor can be set close up to the worm end and the slender coupler utilized to connect both without rigid connection.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent isl. In power transmitting mechanism, a worm having a body portion, a casing in which the worm is mounted, antifriction bearings interposed between the body of .the worm and the casing to reduce running friction and supporting the Worm, a worm- .gear meshing with and driven by said Worm,

antifriction bearings supporting the worm gear in the casing, the worm having a passage extending through the same, and communicating at its ends with the atmosphere so that air may circulate therethrough.

2. In a power transmitting mechanism,

.Y the combinat-ion with a driven member, of

suitable bearings for said member, and a driving member for the driven member, said driving member being internally chambered from end to end for communication with the atmosphere, so that air may circulate through the driving member to convey away heat due to the friction of the operating parts.

3. In a power transmitting mechanism,

the combination with a driven member, of

` the combination of a shaft, antifriction bearings supporting the shaft, a driven gear secured on the shaft, and a driving gear meshing with the gear on said shaft, said driving gear being provided with means for preventing an undue increase of temperature therein.

5. In a power transmitting mechanism, the combination of a shaft, antifrictionbearings supporting'the shaft, a driven gear sevcured on the shaft and a driving gear mesh-v ing with the driven gear, said driving gear being provided with means for preventing an undue increase of temperature therein, said means comprising projections formed on the interior of the driving gear whereby air can be circulated through theinterior of the same.

6. `The combination in powertransmitting mechanism, with a shaft carrying a member adapted 'to be driven, of a gear fastened on thc shaft, and a driving worm meshing with said gear, said driving worm being internally chambered from end to end-for the passage of air therethrough, and having threads formed on the wall of the chamber.

7. The combination in power transmitting mechanism, with a shaft carrying a 4member adapted to be driven, of a gear fastened on the shaft and a driving worm meshing with said gear, saiddriving worm being internally chambered from end to end for the passage of air therethrough, and having threads formed on the wall of the chamber, an oil-tight casing in which the driving worm vand the driven gear are operable and immersed in oil, said casing having -packing rings for the prevention of the escape of oil, and said worm having means for reducing the temperaturel of the oil, said means comprising ducts formed-through the driving worm, said ducts being cooled by the radiation of heat through the interior chamber of the gear.

8. In combination with a driving motor, 'a shaft carrying a member to be driven at a speed less than that of the motor, a gear ,fast on said shaft, a worm meshing with said gear, said worm having an interior axial chamber with a longitudinal, polygonal pocket, a coupler attachable to the motor shaft having a polygonal socket, and a relatively exible connecting-rod or shaft having polygonal ends insertible in the polygonal pocket of the worm chamber and in the coupler socket, whereby power may be transmittedffrom the motor to the worm to drive the sha t.

9. In power transmit-ting mechanism, thev driving element and an element to be driven f proximate alinement, and a coupler with a breaking strength less than said elements and being axially connected thereto for positive rotary and free longitudinal movement, whereby saidparts are driven irrespective of the disalinement of their axes.

11.7In a power transmitting mechanism, the combination of a driven shaft, ant1fr1c tion bearings for taking `\rad1al and end thrust of the shaft and for holding it against vibration during operation, a gear fast on the shaft, a driving gear meshing therewith, said driving gear being provided with means for reducingl friction and avoiding heating c, thereby, `having their axes of rotation in apwhen running at high speed, a driving morunning at high speed, a driving motor, and tor, and a yieldable torsion connection bea connection between said motor and the tween the motor and the driving gear. driving gear.

12. In a power transmitting mechanism, In testimony whereof we have hereunto 15 5 the combination of a driven shaft, antifricset our hands in the presence of two subtion bail-bearings for taking radial and end scribing witnesses.

thrust of the shaft and for holding it against EDWIN B. CANTRELL. vibration during operation, a gear fast on GEORGE E. MILLER. l said shaft, a driving gear meshing there- Witnesses:

1o with, said driving gear having means for re- JOHN H. HERRING,

vducing friction and avoiding heating when W. W. HEALEY. 

